Mr. Lanzo is in the news again. He has a new sign up about President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform: “Obama’s plan for health-care: N*&%*r rig it.” He was asked by CBS Atlanta’s Michelle Marsh asked Lanzo why he put up the sign and he responded, “I’ve been putting up signs for 22 years and I’ve put up all kinds of political signs.” If you ask me, the signs are RACIST. Wait, there’s more. Marsh asked him why did he use the N-word and his response was,“Well, I’ve used it most of my life. There are different ways to put your opinion up, but that’s just the words I choose.”

I am guessing he hasn’t used it in the right neighborhood and to the right person. What an absolute moron. This man is a racist and it shows in the props around his bar — behind the pool tables stands a mannequin in a Klu Klux Klan costume. I am sure Stormfront is only too happy to have him among their ranks. If enough people boycotted his bar, he’d be singing another tune.

Here we go again. “A Monkey, Obama. Is there a difference?” is the question a road sign in Paulding County, Georgia, is asking. The sign that draws the comparison between presidential candidate Barack Obama and a monkey is also drawing a lot of complaints from residents. Here’s a link to that video. A family who saw the sign while heading to a bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail told Channel 2 the sign is offensive and should be removed. But the man who put it up said he has no intention of doing that.

A woman going on a bike ride said she found a sign that says, “A monkey. A Obama. Is there a difference,” hateful and disturbing. “Just shocked. Just shocked basically, saddened by it,” said the woman who did not want to be identified.

So, who is the genius who did this? Patrick Lanzo, the owner of the Georgia Peach Oyster Bar, put up the message on his sign. He said he has no regrets or apologies. “They’re still entitled to put their own sign up. I mean, if it offends them, fine, but in the United States we still have free speech and it’s the only thing that hasn’t been taken from us,” said Lanzo.

Channel 2’s Tom Regan asked Lanzo if he was racist and he said he wasn’t. He did say he allowed the Ku Klux Klan to use the property behind his bar for rallies but added that a gay rights group was also invited on one occasion. I rest my case!

Lanzo had a framed photo of a sign he posted about the Michael Jackson acquittal – which used the “N” word. That sign drew protests from the NAACP and unsuccessful demands for authorities to have it taken down. “I believe in your right and my right or anybody else’s right to say what they want without being criticized as being a racist,” said Lanzo.

It is really shameful that people resort to such distasteful and really ignorant behavior just to prove a point. It is okay if you don’t like Barack Obama or even vote for him, but why is he continually denigrated because of the color of his skin? The sad reality is that many of the racists who spew this hatred can never dare to walk in this man’s shoes, let alone hold a lucid conversation with anyone.

Janet Shan is a freelance journalist and managing editor of the Hinterland Gazette. She is working on her first novel, a mystery based in the hills of Montego Bay.

Renee

Channel 2’s Tom Regan asked Lanzo if he was racist and he said he wasn’t. He did say he allowed the Ku Klux Klan to use the property behind his bar for rallies but added that a gay rights group was also invited on one occasion.

What I don’t get is how a gay rights group using his property supposedly means that he is not homophobic…does he also believe that all homosexuals are white…Oh idiocy you have a name and I do believe it is Patrick Lanzo.

Monroe Anderson

Racism and ignorance is an American as apple pie. Addressing it exposes it for what it actually is. Good job on this one Black Political Thought.

Keith

Did any of you happen to see the number of black people who had there pictures taken with these sign and Mr.Lanzo? Obviously it does not offend everybody no matter the color. What about Mr. Lanzo being a card carrying member of the NAACP and was flat out denied the right to march with them. He even offered to carry a banner for them. I think he raises the issue of racism to show that it is on both sides of the black/white border. There are just as many blacks that are racist as there are whites. Come on folks, I may not agree with what has been said by numerous people, but I will defend the right for it to be said.